What are the disadvantages of Calathea?
Calatheas can be fussy. They are tropical jungle plants so they require high humidity and consistent soil moisture to thrive. If your home is dry, you’re at a disadvantage. There’s no need to fear a Calathea, however, only to understand it. Calatheas, or ‘prayer plants’, are known for their patterned leaves and love a humid environment, making them the perfect choice for bathrooms. They can be a little fussy, so keep them away from direct sunlight and make sure the soil stays evenly moist.Calathea are prayer plants, so they ‘pray’ at night by folding their leaves so that they stand up vertically. This is completely normal for them to do, but for reasons I don’t quite understand, some do it more than others, and it depends more on lighting (from what I’ve observed) than the health of the plant.Don’t be afraid to prune off leaves of your Calathea that appear dead or mostly dead. You can simply cut them with scissors or pruning shears at the spot where they meet the stem or base of the plant.Potting and Repotting Calathea Plant calathea in a 8- or 10-inch pot with large drainage holes, preferably unglazed clay, which lets evaporate excess moisture. As the roots start to fill the container, repot the plant every few years in a container that is 1 to 2 inches larger than the old pot.Calathea is an enjoyable plant that features wild dark and bright colors and vibrant patterns for foliage. It purifies the surrounding air by filtering out many things like carbon monoxide and benzine, a popular toxin found in plastics.
Is calathea a good indoor plant?
About the Calathea Calathea (Marantaceae) are known for their very diverse, colorful, and beautifully patterned leaves. Combined with their ability to grow in lower light conditions, these make very popular house and office plants (bonus as they are pet and child friendly). Light Conditions – Indirect Light: Place your Calathea in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause fading. Low Light Tolerance: While they prefer bright light, Calatheas can tolerate low light but may grow more slowly and have less vibrant foliage.Indirect light – calathea plants need bright, but not direct, sunlight to grow. This is because they grow on the floor of jungles and forests where they get limited light through the tops of the trees. In fact, direct sunlight will burn the leaves of a calathea plant and cause it to lose its vibrant colors.Use a well-draining potting mix, as Calathea are prone to root rot if the soil is too moist. Pinch off any dead or yellowing leaves regularly to keep the plant looking healthy and encourage new growth. Avoid placing your Calathea near drafts or heat sources.These plants tend to flower for around 2-3 months during the growing season and will only flower under specific growing conditions. To encourage blooming in your Calathea, slowly increase the amount of sunlight it receives and increase the area’s humidity from 50 to 60%.